True Heart-Energy
To make progress in our Christian walk, we must give ourselves wholly to holy things through diligent meditation and deep thought.
Dr. Johnson delves into the concept of Covenant, explaining that God's unconditional promises to Abraham and David necessitate provision for sin, leading to the New Covenant of redemption through Jesus' sacrifice. Cleon Rogers describes covenant as a deep unity resulting in common purpose, loyalty, and mutual aid. The significance of covenant lies in its binding nature, symbolized by the shedding of blood, signifying a commitment to die to self and live for the covenant partner. The New Testament uses 'diatheke' to emphasize God's unilateral promises and the irrevocable decision made by Him, highlighting the covenant of grace.
Text
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15)
This is, practically, a promise that, by diligent meditation and the giving up of our whole mind to our work for the Lord we shall make a progress which all can see. Not by hasty reading but by deep meditation we profit by the Word of God. Not by doing a great deal of work in a slovenly manner, but by giving our best thought to what we attempt, we shall get real profit. "In all labor there is profit" but not in fuss and hurry without true heart-energy.
If we divide ourselves between God and mammon, or Christ and self, we shall make no progress. We must give ourselves wholly to holy things, or else we shall be poor traders in heavenly business, and at our stocktaking no profit will be shown.
Am I a minister? Let me be a minister wholly and not spend my energies upon secondary concerns. What have I to do with party politics or vain amusements? Am I a Christian? Let me make my service of Jesus my occupation, my lifework, my one pursuit. We must be in-and-in with Jesus, and then out-and-out for Jesus, or else we shall make neither progress nor profit, and neither the church nor the world will feel the forceful influence which the Lord would have us exercise.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Meditation
- Meditation is a promise of progress
- Meditation leads to profiting by the Word of God
- Meditation is not about hasty reading but deep thought
Key Quotes
“In all labor there is profit but not in fuss and hurry without true heart-energy.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“We must be in-and-in with Jesus, and then out-and-out for Jesus, or else we shall make neither progress nor profit,” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Give your whole mind to your work for the Lord through diligent meditation and deep thought.
- Avoid dividing yourself between God and mammon or Christ and self.
- Make your service of Jesus your occupation, lifework, and one pursuit.